What have you done with the gift?

Today the Church commemorates a great Saint who offered himself to Christ and His Church. Saint Nektarios, a fairly recent 20^th century Saint, is known for sacrificing his time and life for others. He was able to offer so much, not because he gathered worldly wealth and notoriety.  He recognized the great gift that God has offered in His Church. Consider today’s Gospel Reading:

Luke 12:48-59 (RSV) - The Lord said, "Every one to whom much is given, of him will much be required; and of him to whom men commit much they will demand the more. I came to cast fire upon the earth; and would that it were already kindled! I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how I am constrained until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division; for henceforth in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three; they will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against her mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law." He also said to the multitudes, "When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, 'A shower is coming'; and so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, 'There will be scorching heat'; and it happens. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky; but why do you not know how to interpret the present time? And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? As you go with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer put you in prison. I tell you, you will never get out till you have paid the very last copper."

The Church has been given to you by Christ to help you get to heaven. The Church has been given to you as a great gift to free you from the slavery of selfish materialism. You have received this great gift. What have you done with the gift?